Sergei Shoigu to make first official visit to China

November 12, 2012, 10:07 UTC+3On November 20-21 Defense Minister will take part in the 17th meeting of the Russian-Chinese Joint International Commission on Military and Technical Cooperation

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MOSCOW, November 12 (Itar-Tass) — Russian Defense Minister General of the Army Sergei Shoigu will make an official visit to China on November 20-21 and take part in the 17th meeting of the Russian-Chinese Joint Inter-Governmental Commission on Military and Technical Cooperation, press secretary of the defense minister Irina Kovalchuk told ITAR-TAS on Monday.

“During the session, the parties will sum up the results of military-technical cooperation and determine priorities on further development of cooperation in this field. A corresponding protocol will be signed after the session,” Kovalchuk said.

“Sergei Shoigu’s upcoming visit to China proves the continuity of the new leadership’s policy to further development of military and military-technical cooperation and strengthening of friendly relations between the armed forces of the two states,” the spokeswoman said.

According to an official of the Russian Defence Ministry, Shoigu will also hold talks with his Chinese colleague. The Russian minister is expected to be received by the Chinese leadership.

A decision to hold the 17th session of the commission in Beijing was taken on September 23. The then defence minister, Anatoly Serdyukov, was invited to visit China in order to take part in the commission’s work. On November 6 Serdyukov was released of his duties. President Vladimir Putin appointed Shoigu on this position. Thus, Shoigu will leave for China on the visit. Beijing confirmed its invitation to new Russian minister to visit the country.

The Russian-Chinese commission on military-technical cooperation was founded in compliance with the agreement between the governments of the two countries on November 24, 1992. The commission gathers one a year in Moscow and Beijing respectively. The membership of the commission is approved by the governments’ resolutions. The Russian and Chinese defence ministers are co-chairmen of the commission.